Movers for Moms campaign underway across Simcoe County

A donation box for Movers for Moms campaign is pictured. (CTV News/KC Colby)

A national campaign aims at helping mothers who need it most including here in Simcoe County.

The Second Annual Movers for Moms campaign, an initiative started by moving company Two Men And A Truck, assists mothers and families by partnering with different organizations to collect essential items. The donations then get delivered to women’s and family shelters in the spring season.

The campaign takes place at this time of year to honour Mother’s Day and mark the occasion as special for all mothers, regardless of circumstances.

“The mother is normally the glue that holds the family together. She’s the one that is there that is fighting for their children from day one, you know, good, bad and ugly,” said Dan Arlow, marketing manager for Two Men And A Truck.

Those in the community are being asked to drop off essential items like soap, toothpaste, clothing, diapers and hygiene products.

The donations get collected and moving teams pick them up, sort them and deliver them to shelters.

The program began in the U.S. by the moving company but expanded to Canada last year.

Organizers are hoping to collect more than last year’s total of 600 donated items to the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie with a goal of 1,000 donations this year.

“So we have 29 funded beds. We are always over capacity, closer to 35,” said Teresa McLennan, executive director of the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie. “Last year we could not provide support to almost 650 women and children because we were full. We will always find somewhere for those women and kids to go.”

The most needed items for this region are children’s items like colouring books, pyjamas sized XS to 4X, bedding, towels, diapers, wipes and baby essentials.

Other items needed include toiletries and hygiene products, kitchen and household items, snacks, breakfast foods, coffee and journals.

Organizers ask that all items be new and dropped off at one of the drop-off locations until May 1.

Drop-Off Locations in Barrie

• Suite Works, 92 Caplan Avenue Unit 507
• Magicuts, 555 Essa Road
• Envy Hair Salon, 241 Essa Road
• Connect Hair Studio, 274 Burton Avenue, Unit 12–13
• RONA Home & Garden, 61 Mapleview Drive East
• First Choice Haircutters, 19 Mapleview Drive West
• SmartStyle (Walmart), 35 Mapleview Drive West
• Magicuts, 636 Yonge Street
• First Choice Haircutters, 410 Essa Road
• Fortitude Dance Centre, 110 Anne Street South
• First Choice Haircutters, 360 Bayfield Street
• First Choice Haircutters, 462 Bayfield Street